In the last years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a very popular method used for the early detection of breast cancer, because it has greater sensibility than mammography. But, opponents of MRI are concerned about this type of examination because of the belief that it may increase rates of mastectomy. However, different studies have been performed and no proof of this has been recorded (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937). Although many people think that mastectomy may increase with MRI’s, I feel that these types of screenings should be more recommendable for women at high risk for breast cancer, because cancer, if not treated on time might be fatal.
Mammography has been traditionally used for breast examination, in order to detect
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They came up with the hypothesis that MRI did not increase rates of mastectomy, and as they expected the results showed that patients considered with early breast cancer, did not make a difference in mastectomy rates (quoted in Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937-938).
It is only a presumption that magnetic resonance imaging use contributes to mastectomy, and some do not support this conclusion (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 939). But as the evidence shows, there is no proof that magnetic resonance imaging may cause an increase of mastectomy. I think the real issue is just a matter of controversy, and conclusions seem to have been prematurely made.
In the other hand, the fact that Magnetic Resonance Imaging is not affected by breast density has been mentioned repeatedly. Despite its sensitivity, which is greater than ninety five percent, false positive results have been reported, which rates the accuracy of MRI between its thirty seven and ninety - seven percent. (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937). But I personally think that occult breast cancer is a very uncommon presentation. All tests and screenings may have their failures, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging is not an exception.
However, I want to make clear that I am not saying that mammograms should be substituted by Magnetic Resonance Imaging for every woman, nor I am saying mammography’s use should be discontinued. But, MRI should be recommended as an additional protocol to mammography, for women at very high risk for breast
{text:bookmark-start} Mammograms {text:bookmark-end} Mammograms are important to have because it not only affects women over 40, but it affects young and men also. A mammogram (also called a mammography exam) is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast. A high-quality mammogram is the most effective tool for detecting breast cancer early. Early detection of breast cancer may allow more treatment options. It could even mean saving your breast or your life. Mammograms are probably the most important tool doctors have to help them diagnose, evaluate, and follow women who've had breast cancer. Mammograms don't prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. There are four important things to know
This poster urges the importance of getting examined early so the risk of breast cancer greatly diminishes.
Radiologists have long been required to report the breast density of the patient in his or her report that is sent to the referring physician. Most physicians never communicated the breast density back to the patient. They knew that mammograms are governed by the Mammography Quality Standard Act (MQSA) and patients are required to get lay results of their mammogram, but the MQSA did not require them to be told of their breast density. Several states now require that patients be told of their breast density in these letters. In these letters patients are told what their results are along with a statement that says something similar to the 2013 State of Alabama law that says "Your mammogram shows that your breast tissue is dense. Dense breast tissue is very common and is not abnormal. However, dense breast tissue may make it harder to find cancer on a mammogram and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This information about the result of your mammogram is given to you to raise your awareness. Use this information to talk to your doctor about your own risks for
Masson conducts a point in her article explaining that some women experience false positive mammograms and treated unnecessarily. She references from the Nordic Cochrane Centre information pamphlet that states “These women will have either a part of their breast or the whole breast removed, and they will often receive radiotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy” (Masson, 2010). This can harvest a psychological strain on many women and cause increased distress and anxiety. Along with the emotional strain, direct financial costs to health services will be applied due to unnecessary procedures.
Mammography saves lives, and it 's important to know that women know that they have a certain age to start before it 's too late. Mammography guidelines are the best tool available to screen for breast cancer, and It has helped many women in this world and it has also reduced the breast cancer death rate in the United States by 30 percent. And that all
Currently mammography and ultrasound are basic imaging techniques for detection and localization of breast tumor. Breast Ultrasound is a typically painless medical test that uses reflected sound waves for further evaluation of a breast abnormality or a specific area seen on mammography. Ultrasound can locate and measure abnormalities or changes to determine if a breast lump is solid or filled with fluid. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast which may find tumors that are too small to feel. Women aged 40 to 74 years should have annual screening mammograms to lower chance of dying from breast cancer(2,15).Mammograms are less likely to find breast tumors in women younger than 50 years. This may
Mammograms are breast cancer screenings and are of great importance since they detect if indeed a malignant tumor is present and if so what stage it is in (Stephan, 2010). Cancers can be detected at stages I, II, or IIA (Haas et al., 2008).
The incidence rates of in situ breast cancer increased by 2.8% every year between 2005 and 2009.
In today’s society, women are not getting their mammograms done because they feel they are not necessary or because they are afraid of the results of the mammograms. Since women do not get their mammograms done, they are exposed to breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, women who get mammograms, reduce about “15% to 20% in mortality from breast cancer” (“National Cancer Institute” 1). If women would increase the rate of getting mammograms, there will be less deaths in women.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States. A mammogram, is a simple test done with x-ray, to screen women for abnormalities of the breast. Over the past six years, the guidelines put out by various healthcare organizations have changed multiple times on when women should begin screening mammograms. Based on statistical data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 20 percent of women go without a screening mammogram for their own various reasons, of which may be lack of insurance, lack of time or lack of knowledge as to when they should be getting a screening mammogram done due to the recent changes in recommendations. The utilization of annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40 will continue to help reduce the incidence rate of women with breast cancer, or catch it early enough so that treatment can be sought.
The Author reports that the new recommended age for mammograms, by the United States Preventative Services Task Force, has changed from 50 to 40 to reduce the harm from over screening and overtreatment. It also reports that self-breast examinations are no longer recommended on a regular basis. This recommendation comes from evidence that there are no major benefits of early screenings and that only “one cancer death is prevented for every 1,904 women” screened, age 40 to 49. Conversely, there is evidence that frequent early screenings can lead to overtreatment
Thank you for the informative post. I liked how you compared the costs of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer versus mammography. Looking at chemotherapy treatment, from an economic point of view. The treatment is costly and is controversial regarding the efficacy of the treatment. The patient's use of chemotherapeutic agents has led to longer treatment times; which resulted in small incremental gains in survival at considerable additional costs (Haywood et al., 2012). Moreover, healthcare decision makers are in a precarious situation. There is great tension between providing the patient, with the best available treatment options. To improve patient outcomes and the budgetary and resource impact of funding the treatments (Haywood et al.,
Three-quarters of all breast cancer patients are not in any of the groups considered at increased risk for breast cancer, indicating that not all risk factors are understood. As a result, doctors recommend that every woman should familiarize herself with the techniques for monthly breast self-examination. X-ray examination of the breasts, a technique called mammography, can detect tumors before they are large enough to be felt and increase the odds for successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over age 40
cancer. The use of film mammography can be very hard to recognize breast cancer in
Breast cancer has been acknowledged for centuries, with records dating as far back as the ancient Egyptians, over 3500 years ago (1). However diagnosis, research and progress throughout history have been slow due to it being a matter of taboo and humiliation. In 1957 the idea of surgically removing the tumours was suggested by Henri Le Dran, introducing mastectomy to the 20th century; the first scientific step in acting against cancer. Radical mastectomy lengthened survival, however was often declined due to the disfigurement left behind. To overcome this, Bernard Fisher published results from ‘breast conserving’ surgery accompanied by radiation or chemotherapy, which were ‘just as effective’ as a radical mastectomy (1).